What is SANCOR? The South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) is a non-statutory body that generates and communicates knowledge and advice in order to promote the wise and informed use and management of marine and coastal resources and environments. What does SANCOR do? • Provides a forum for interaction, collaboration and communication about science in the marine and coastal environment (SMCE), and generates debate on current issues. • Contributes to planning for future demands on the marine and coastal environments and resources. • Co-ordinates and integrates activities by stimulating appropriate inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration. • Advises on the optimal use of financial, technical and logistical resources. • Helps develop capacity in all sectors. • Markets the benefits and promotes the use of research findings. • Acts as a ‘broker’ between national and international funding agencies and researchers. What are the benefits of joining SANCOR? • You will receive an electronic copy of the SANCOR newsletter. This contains advertisements for jobs, postgraduate opportunities, details of forthcoming symposia and topical news reports on the South African marine research scene. • You will receive free copies of SANCOR occasional reports (on request, while stocks last). • You will be able to nominate individuals for SANCOR awards and task teams and as forum representatives. • You will be invited to participate in SANCOR workshops, seminars, meetings and symposia, and associated social events. African Oyster Catchers • SANCOR will help publicise your research findings to a wider community. • SANCOR membership will provide you with opportunities to meet and interact with experts in the marine and coastal science community. • Through SANCOR you can meet research partners, plan collaborative research programmes and keep up to date on research developments. • Through the SEAChange Programme, SANCOR will help you design projects that are cohesive and relevant and that meet the criteria of the Programme, making them more likely to be funded. • Through our directory of expertise and email list you will be able to contact marine researchers in your area of interest or concern. Who can join SANCOR? Anyone involved or interested in marine science, conservation or education, at any level. SANCOR membership to students and individuals is free. SANCOR achievements Panel Advisory Committees • National Research Foundation (NRF) • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) • Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Investors: • SANCOR has provided a cohesive infrastructure to promote the interests of marine scientists. • SANCOR has developed, and currently advises the stakeholders of the SEAChange Programme. • SANCOR has made major inputs into the development of the Marine Living Resources Act. • SANCOR organises the triennial Southern African Marine Science Symposium. SANCOR Steering Committee (marine and coastal scientists, engineers, technologists, institutions, policy-makers and administrators) SANCOR Community Structures within SANCOR SANCOR Forum Task and Co-ordinating Groups The SEAChange Programme (managed by the investors under a joint venture) Yellowbelly rockcod (021) 402-3536 Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012 [email protected] http://sancor.nrf.ac.za To join or to find out more about SANCOR, contact the SANCOR Secretariat at: Tel: Postal Address: e-mail: Website: Department: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA SANCOR’s activities are made possible through financial contributions from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). environmental affairs Department: Environmental Affairs REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Images: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Coastcare Informative Signage Series. - SANCOR Forum The SANCOR National Forum is a broadly-based, consultative, communicative and advisory body that represents scientists and institutions from different provinces and disciplines. The Forum’s current membership consists of accredited representatives of over 40 member institutions and societies. The National Forum meets at least once a year in one of the regional coastal centres and welcomes attendance and participation by all interested people. Regional Forums may meet more regularly and attend to matters of regional interest. The roles of the Forum are to: • Exchange ideas and discuss topical issues. • Receive and comment on reports by chairpersons of SANCOR Co-ordinating Groups and the Steering Committee. • Consult, communicate and advise on marine and coastal matters. • Help implement findings about the management of marine resources. • Contribute to future research strategies. • Initiate and advise on new research directions. - SANCOR Steering Committee SANCOR’s activities are guided by the SANCOR Steering Committee which consists of members appointed by each of the stakeholders, nominees of the National Forum and one representative of each Regional Forum. The Steering Committee: • Ensures that the objectives of SANCOR are met. • Consults with the Forum. • Provides continuity, direction and leadership. • Assesses and reviews programmes and products. • Contributes to strategies. • Promotes the use of findings on marine resources. • Provides advice on priorities, gaps and funding. • Consults, informs and lobbies members of the public, government and decision makers. - Co-ordinating Groups Co-ordinating groups consist of scientists/educators and other interested persons sharing a common interest and are actively involved in a defined field of research. The following Co-ordinating Groups are currently in existence: • Biotelemetry Research Group (BRG). • Consortium for Estuarine Research and Management (CERM). • Eastern Cape Research Association for Marine Researchers (ECRAM). • KwaZulu-Natal Marine and Coastal Management Research Group (KZN-MRG). • Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN). • Marine Linefish Research Group (MLRG). - Task Teams Various Task Teams are set up by the SANCOR Steering Committee, as and when necessary, to carry out specific tasks, usually of limited duration. Recent and past examples include: • Communication Task Group. • Regional Seas Task Group. • Marine Reserves Task Group. • Promotions and Education Task Group. • Membership Task Group. • Stakeholders Task Group. • Corrective Action Task Group. • Socio-Economics Task Team. • Capacity Building Task Team. • Dive Task Team. • Website Task Team. - SANCOR'S Research Programme: SEAChange This programme incorporates a substantial proportion of marine and coastal research in South Africa. The SEAChange Programme is managed under a joint venture formed by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). The programme consists of four broad themes, namely: • Ecosystems and Change is concerned with changes in marine ecosystems over space and time, including long range forecasting, the physical and biological explanations for changes such as extreme marine events, harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen events and Benguela Niños. • Ecosystems and Society emphasizes the interactions between natural ecosystems (and parts thereof) and human societies. • Ecosystem Functioning concentrates on explaining the fundamental structure and functioning of ecosystems and the factors that influence the dynamics of these systems. • Marine Biotechnology supports research towards the development of new products and processes involving marine organisms. Red steenbras